Everyone can bring something to the DIY world. You likely have knowledge and experience that other people don’t. From unique projects to a different perspective or method on tried and true ones, your stories matter.
How do you share those stories with the world? Blogging is one way you can make that happen. You can take your stories and upcycle them just like you upcycle other materials and complete projects in a way that is not only good for you but good for our planet as well. The only thing more rewarding than a successful DIY project is having the ability to help others do the same.
Find Your Place
There are a couple of different ways you can upcycle your DIY stories. You can write for existing blogs like a freelance DIY writer. Or you can create a website and blog of your own and share your stories there.
Publishing on existing blogs is easier, although you will have to find DIY blogs that accept guest posts. This is not exceptionally hard, and Google is your friend. Start with simple searches like DIY blog guest posts and see what comes up. You can refine your search from there if you don’t find what you are looking for.
To create your own website, you will have to invest some time and money. However, that might pay off in the long run. You will need to search for a choose a domain name, find a website host, and design a website or have one designed for you. You can do all of these yourself as well, this helps sell the DIY theme! If you’re not sure where to start with regards to the design of your site, why not opt for a patchwork style background to really sell the upcycle idea? If you’re unsure on the technical aspect however, do not worry – the internet has many resources to help you learn a variety of website building services, one prominent example being wordpress tutorial videos that can help you to put together a blogsite in no time!
Get Better at Writing
Blog writing is different than other kinds of writing, and whether you were an A student in English in high school or you struggled, you can learn to write blogs more effectively. There are some simple formulas for you to follow.
- Have a Good Headline/Title. Something that Grabs the reader’s attention.
- Use bullet points and lists (like this one).
- Keep paragraphs and sentences short. Long blocks of text seldom work.
- Think about phone screens. Many readers use their phones to access sites and follow DIY instructions.
- Use Subheadings to let readers know what each section is about.
- Keep it simple. Few words, simple language, all of those things that make your content easy to read.
It is important to proofread your work. There are programs like Grammarly and PefectIt that will help you do so.
Learn to Take Good Photos and Videos
Ever hear the phrase that a picture says a thousand words? Well, when it comes to DIY projects, that is not entirely true. A photo or video without words would be essentially useless. However, combined with your words, they are invaluable especially for followers who might be visual learners.
The quality of those videos and photos matter. Not only do they let the user know how professional you are and how much you care about your projects, but they also serve as a guide. Unclear visual aids will only confuse your reader.
The advances in cameras on cell phones mean you don’t have to go out and buy a lot of gear. You simply need to learn to use what you already have. There are many community classes, and companies like Apple offer classes in-store.
Market Yourself
No matter whether you have your own site, or you write on someone else’s blog, you will still need to spread the word that you are blogging about DIY.
You can do this through social media using hashtags and groups, and by being a part of other forums and groups on the web that deal with DIY. Don’t always push your blogs, but comment on others and share relevant information as well.
Use visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to show off your creations and how you made them.
Make Money if You Can
If you run your own site and blog there, you can monetize your site several ways to make money. You can run native ads, get sponsors, and even sell ad space for products you might use in your projects.
Allow for guest posts and sponsored content, which means some companies will pay you to post their content on your site. There are a number of ways to make money, get free stuff, and even make a living if you have your own blog, but it can be a lot of work.
Even if you work for another site, or blog on many sites, you can sell your designs and your ideas, although you will need some kind of platform like eBay, Etsy, an Amazon store, or some means to distribute your products. Consider an eBook containing your projects with drawings, photos, and directions.
You can do some of these things with your own site as well. In this way, you can upcycle your stories and educate others on how you do the things you do. DIY blogging is not only a great hobby, it can be a great sideline that benefits both you and those who read about your projects.